March 3, 2025 – San Diego, CA – Construction Company Cited: The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued $157,500 in citations to W. A. Rasic Construction after a tragic trench collapse claimed the life of an employee. The company violated multiple workplace safety regulations, leading to this preventable incident.
Incident Overview
On August 28, 2024, around 3:00 a.m., a worker was inside a 17-foot-deep trench when a section collapsed. The force displaced a concrete pipe, which pinned and fatally injured the employee. Cal/OSHA’s investigation found several serious violations related to excavation and trench safety protocols. Construction Company Cited
Cal/OSHA Statement on the Violations
Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee emphasized the importance of trench safety, stating:
“No worker should lose their life due to preventable safety failures. We will continue to enforce trench safety regulations, hold employers accountable, and work to ensure that safety standards are upheld to protect workers.”
Key Violations Identified by Cal/OSHA
1. Failure to Implement an Effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program
W. A. Rasic Construction did not identify, evaluate, or correct workplace hazards. The company also failed to provide proper training, exposing workers to preventable risks.
2. Failure to Conduct Proper Site Inspections
The employer did not conduct adequate inspections to identify potential cave-in hazards. Additionally, they failed to ensure the use of protective systems, such as trench boxes or shoring, which might have prevented the collapse.
3. Failure to Provide Adequate Cave-In Protection
Despite the trench’s depth, the employer did not provide required cave-in protection. This critical oversight exposed employees to severe risks, ultimately resulting in a fatal outcome.
Employer’s Right to Appeal Citations
Employers can appeal Cal/OSHA citations by filing with the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board within 15 working days of receiving the citation.
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Source: California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)